Superconducting Power Shaft Core for Gas Turbines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas turbine engines rely on mechanical shafts for transmission, limiting power density and efficiency, and there is a lack of innovative designs for high-speed superconducting power transmission architectures that can enhance thermodynamic and aerodynamic efficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a superconducting power shaft core (SPSC) that uses magnetic levitation and superconducting coils to create a shaftless transmission system, allowing for high power density and efficient power distribution across multiple stages of the turbine, eliminating the need for mechanical shafts and enabling continuous electrical power generation and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If mechanical shafts are used for power transmission in gas turbine engines, then structural support and power transmission are achieved, but power density is limited and mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft system with a magnetic field-based transmission system. Superconducting coils generate magnetic fields that interact with permanent magnets on the turbine rotor, eliminating the need for physical mechanical shafts and thereby reducing mechanical stress while enabling higher power density through electromagnetic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the transmission medium from solid mechanical shaft to electromagnetic field. By using superconducting materials that operate at cryogenic temperatures, the system achieves zero electrical resistance and enables extremely high current densities, thereby achieving unprecedented power density without the mechanical stress limitations of solid shafts.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical shafts with lubricants are used, then friction reduction is achieved, but mechanical components and lubrication systems increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical contact between moving parts by using magnetic field coupling for power transmission. The superconducting coils on the stationary part interact magnetically with permanent magnets on the rotating turbine, creating a non-contact transmission system that requires no lubricants and eliminates entire classes of mechanical components including bearings, seals, and lubrication systems.
3Power
If superconducting coils are used instead of copper conductors, then magnetic flux and power level increase 10-20 times, but cryogenic cooling requirements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cryogenic cooling system into segmented sections corresponding to each turbine stage. Each superconducting coil assembly has its own localized cooling channels that deliver cryogenic fluid directly to the superconducting windings, allowing independent temperature control and eliminating the need for a single complex centralized cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The superconducting coils serve multiple functions simultaneously: they generate the magnetic field for power transmission, they act as the electrical conductor for power generation, and they serve as the heat exchange surface for cryogenic cooling. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture.
4Productivity
If magnetic levitation is used to suspend turbine stages, then mechanical shaft connections are eliminated, but magnetic bearing complexity increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnetic bearing function with the superconducting coil assembly. The same superconducting coils that generate magnetic flux for power transmission also create the magnetic levitation field that suspends the turbine stages. This integration eliminates the need for separate magnetic bearing systems and reduces overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases power density, reduces mechanical stress, and enhances efficiency by removing the need for lubricants and mechanical components, achieving up to 100% efficiency in power extraction and generating multi-megawatts of additional electric power while reducing aerodynamic drag and weight.
Implementation Method 1
The SPSC utilizes magnetic levitation tracks which suspend each independently rotating turbine stage
Implementation Method 2
The electric field is generated through induction, as the field coils in the turbine blisk rotate past the inducted power field in the SPSC hollow shaft coil
Implementation Method 3
superconducting field coils, can be raised in the 10-20 times the power level, for superconducting field coils
Data Source
AI summary
A gas turbine rotor having a combination of proximal embedded permanent magnets in the blended turbine(s) trunnion structure to which blades are integral to and through these distal trunnion channels attach to which turbine blades are integral to as a single component is provided. Permanent magnets or warm conducting coils or cold superconducting coils can be used. The structure rotates around a superconducting power shaft core (SPSC), running axially in relation to the turbine blade permanent magnets, for example, and embedded distal trunnion rings.